Retrofit solution grant

This week the Mayor of London announced the launch of a new retrofit solution grant for ULEZ compliance to address the continuing issue of high polluting vehicles….and operators are already responding positively!

The scheme offers small businesses and charities grants of up to £15,000 per vehicle (to a max of 3) to retrofit existing diesel vehicles with a Euro VI standards emissions system. 

The mayor has also promised grants for the scrappage of older high polluting diesels which, while helping to remove a cause of high carbon emissions, we feel is rather counter intuitive if the ultimate aim is to improve the environment!

Retrofit grant london traffic

We expect most managers in charge of fleets of diesel buses, trucks and cars will prefer the grant option to upgrade their existing vehicles to meet EURO VI as there are many more  benefits. For example…

  • Ensures existing fleet meets the tougher Euro VI standards as soon as possible – upgrading is a quicker turnaround to meet new standards rather than wait for a delivery of a nw vehicle
  • Avoids additional costs of rebranding new vehicles and/or reapplying existing advertising
  • Many drivers get accustomed, and even emotionally attached, to their regular vehicles
  • Saves a lot of time in administration and paperwork
  • Better for the environment overall as it avoids sending otherwise perfectly good transport to the scrap pile. 

Retrofit scheme open now 

The scheme opens on Monday 28th September to sole traders, small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Charities must be registered with the Charities Commission as an active charity. It is largely aimed at HGVs and specialist vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes and buses, coaches and minibuses exceeding 5 tonnes. 

More than 100 organisations have already registered interest in the scheme. It will operate on a first-come, first-served basis so quick application is encouraged. 

APPLY NOW FOR THE RETROFIT GRANT VIA THE TRANSPORT FOR LONDON

confederation of passenger transport logo

Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said:Coaches and buses are some of the cleanest vehicles on our roads but the costs associated with replacing or retrofitting older vehicles are significant and often a barrier to doing so. Despite the pandemic, operators retain ambitions to further green their fleets and this welcome funding will help many small family businesses, where possible, to do so.”

Comply to LEZ emissions standards by March 2021

In light of ‘the covid affect’, tougher LEZ emissions standards are  now scheduled for 1 March 2021. This will allow more businesses time to plan the meeting of the new standards so there are new excuses or arguments when the tougher fines are in place. 

Heavy vehicles (including specialist vehicles, lorries, buses, and coaches) will need to meet Euro VI (NOx and PM) emissions standards or pay a daily charge to drive within the Greater London area.

Of course, the sooner the better so apply for the new retrofit grant scheme today or contact Excalibre Tech if you have any questions. 

We will the daily ULEZ charges be under the tougher standards?

If you drive a HGV, lorry, van or other specialist heavy vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight or a bus/minibus or coach over 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight within the LEZ and it does not meet:

  • Euro VI (NOx and PM) – you will need to pay a daily charge of £100
  • Euro IV (PM) – you will need to pay a daily charge of £300

Vehicle types that do not need to meet new standards

Motorised horseboxes need to comply with ULEZThe March 2021 standards will not apply to the following vehicles:

Over 1.205 tonnes unladen weight up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight:

  • Vans
  • Motorised horseboxes
  • 4×4 light utility vehicles
  • Pick-ups
  • Dual purpose vehicles
  • Breakdown and recovery vehicles
  • Motor caravans (over 2.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
  • Ambulances (over 2.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
  • Motorised hearses (over 2.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight)
  • Other specialist diesel vehicles

Up to and including 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight:

  • Minibuses (with 8+ passenger seats)

Vehicle types affected by the tougher LEZ standards

More than 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight:

  • Lorries
  • Motorised horseboxes
  • Vans
  • Motor caravans
  • Breakdown and recovery vehicles
  • Snow ploughs
  • Gritters
  • Waste collection vehicles
  • Road sweepers
  • Concrete mixers
  • Fire engines
  • Tippers
  • Other specialist heavy vehicles

More than 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight:

  • Buses/minibuses (with 8+ passenger seats)
  • Coaches (with 8+ passenger seats)

What is the best retrofit solution? The Proventia NOxBUSTER® City

The NOxBUSTER® City enables Euro 3, 4 or 5 buses and trucks to meet Euro 6 standards. It’s developed by Proventia (based in Finland) and boasts full TfL and CVRAS approval – ensuring compliance with the Ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) and Clean Air Zones across the UK. Over 1,000 systems have already been installed across all major London bus operator. Excalibre Technologies are the proud UK partners of Proventia Oy.

CHECK IF YOUR VEHICLE MEETS ULEZ STANDARDS

Any questions?

Contact John and our excellent customer service team at sales@excalibretech.com

OR APPLY NOW FOR THE RETROFIT GRANT TODAY

Useful emissions control links:

Explainer video: Why you need to maintain your diesel vehicles DPF

How to upgrade to EURO VI

Best value clamps and gaskets